Research Funding for the National Institutes of Health Increased for the First Time Since FY2003

The world’s leading breast cancer organization today applauded Congressional leaders for making a vital investment in the health and well-being of Americans by including a $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the FY16 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The bill, which passed today in both the House and the Senate, also provides continued funding for the Department of Defense’s Breast Cancer Research Program.
“We are pleased that NIH cancer research funding will be increased for the first time in more than a decade,” said Komen President and CEO Judith Salerno, M.D., M.S. “This is a significant milestone for NIH and for women and men everywhere who need more and better treatment options to ensure they can live long and productive lives.
“Congress today demonstrated what we at Susan G. Komen have long held to be true – medical research funding is not a partisan issue. This is why Komen has devoted more than $889 million in breast cancer research since inception in 1982 (an investment second only to the federal government).
“We applaud these efforts to take bold action that will benefit U.S. citizens and people around the globe, and hope it will not be another 13 years before we see additional, meaningful investment in lifesaving research.”
The bill continues the nation’s commitment to breast cancer screening services for all women by increasing funding by $3 million to the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Additionally, the bill includes a two-year moratorium on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations about the age at which mammography should start for women of average risk. The moratorium gives Congress time to review the USPSTF recommendations and ensure women have access to critical preventive health care.
The legislation is expected to be signed by President Obama.